13.07.2018Bayer 04

Werkself start football-specific preparations

The Bayer 04 players are on the ball again. After the official end to the summer break last Thursday, Heiko Herrlich led out his players for the second session on the training ground at the BayArena on Friday afternoon: Following the performance tests for the pros and a session on Saturday, the Bayer 04 head coach arranged a three-day bike tour and then gave his players two days off. With the clear aim of his players being well and truly up for the pre-season.

In summer temperatures, Herrlich had to manage without five players in World Cup finalist Tin Jedvaj, Germany international Julian Brandt (holiday), Lukas Hradecky (wisdom tooth operation), Charkes Aranguiz (rehab training after slight knee injury) and Panos Retsos (hand injury) – nevertheless, there were 21 outfield players and three goalkeepers on the training ground. To start with, Lars Bender, Mitchell Weiser and Co. worked on coordination drills on the ball before the Werkself first team players split into pairs for crosses and shots at goal. The most accurate duo were were Kevin Volland and Julian Baumgartlinger ahead of Sven Bender and Dominik Kohr.

"Tomorrow we'll start on different moves," announced Heiko Herrlich ahead of the forthcoming training sessions at the weekend (Saturday, 10.30 and 16.00 CET plus Sunday at 10.30 CET) five days before the first friendly at SV Rossbach/Verscheid (18 July, 18.00 CET). The pre-season is now finally underway.

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